The Ontario government is expected to announce Monday it is joining a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and some pharmacies over the opioid crisis.

Related: American drug company founder convicted in opioid case

The suit, proposed last year by British Columbia, alleges the companies falsely marketed opioids as less addictive than other pain killers and helped trigger an overdose crisis that has killed thousands since 1996.

The suit also claims drug stores should have known the quantities of opioids they were distributing were out of line with any legitimate market.

Related: ER Visits Up But Death Toll Stabilizing As Fight Against Opioid Crisis Continues

British Columbia launched the suit in an effort to recoup health-care costs associated with opioid addiction.

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